Neal Katyal on Why the Supreme Court Is “Out of Step” With Mainstream America

I talked with my good friend Neal Katyal on President Biden's announcement to reform the Supreme Court, if the Supreme Court has always been at the center of politics, why the proposal likely won't pass, and whether or not the Supreme Court can win back the public's trust.
Sign up here for daily email updates from me, Katie Couric, on the news that matters most to you:
katiecouric.co...
Subscribe to my channel: / katiecouric
Follow me on Instagram: / katiecouric
Subscribe to my podcast: ApplePodcasts.com/KatieCouric
Follow me on Facebook: / katiecouric
Follow me on Twitter: / katiecouric

[@tomsaxton970]

I worked for the state of Virginia for the health dept. I evaluated soils for septic systems. We took conflict of interest training every year. We weren't even supposed to accept a hamburger from the public. Some of these justices are so far out of line, I can't see how we can trust any decision they make. If they don't like the salary, don't accept the appointment.

[@makepeacelily5205]

The SCOTUS actually gets an enormous appropriation annually. It's reported that taking account for their salaries AND security services, they are left with $90 million in discretionary funds each year! $10 million per justice to spend on catered meals and a huge staff etc. The answer to reigning them in, certainly, is less funding, not more!

[@rosievela9909]

Yes And Arrest These Corrupt GOP SCOTUS HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR AIDING & ABETTING TREASON + MITCH MCCONNELL So Guilty

[@patriciaheflin4518]

Neal is so knowledgeable and it is so nice to hear his perspective on scotus! Thanks for the great questions & conversation, Katie! You look great! The margarita looks yummy!

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

Neal IS amazing. I 100% agree with you on that Katie. I always enjoy listening to, and learning from Neal. Thank you for sharing this, much appreciated.

[@Dawnabrat]

Always great to hear discussions between you and Neal.

[@joshuamrosenau]

The "No one is above the law" Amendment should apply to all three branches, and not only to SCOTUS.

[@utahredrock1]

The proposed amendment is not just about SCOTUS. Here's what Biden said: "No one is above the law. Not the president of the United States. Not a justice on the Supreme Court of the United States. No one."

[@margaretmarshall3645]

No one means no one.

[@avivat3010]

Thank you so much for helping to inform us Katie and Neal. As a Canadian, I am extremely fearful, not only regarding your upcoming election, but also how it will effect the rest of the world. I think we are all balancing on the point of a needle right now.

[@grizzlygrizzle]

Oh, so you like being on the verge of WW III, and hate peace in the world? You like the destruction of the monetary and fiscal system? You like the censorship that leftist governments in your country and ours engage in? You like kangaroo courts, state-controlled media, and weaponized judicial systems? These are what Trudeau's and Biden's administrations have engaged in, and these are indicators of the kind of tyranny that they accuse conservatives of. As Saul Alinsky famously said, "Accuse your opponents of what you are guilty of," and the proof of those activities is well documented, if you have been paying attention.

[@papajeff5486]

The military code of conduct is strict and has UCMJ enforcement.

[@sandraspidle5972]

We know other nations will be listening carefully to every speech made in our country now, but, I wonder what Germany, France, and others felt about hearing yesterday's speech? The SCOTUS was called out, Katie. Love your journalism and truth, always. 🇺🇸

[@mongofan1]

Perhaps I'm too cynical, but I do not think Roberts is concerned about the legitimacy of the court. I think he is just more tempered in his presentation in order to appear concerned. He is as extreme as Alito and Thomas. Look at his manipulation of the Colorado case that dropped trump from the ballot. Rather than taking up the main questions of the case, he twisted the SC role into simply deciding whether individual states could determine which candidates were on their own state ballot. He steered the court away from any consideration of the validity of the CO court decision regarding Article 3 of the 14th, which really should have been the focus. He wrote the opinion granting Presidents extraordinary levels of immunity, immunity that should not only terrify foreign nations (the U.S. has just decided that their President is free to commit any crimes against us.), but should terrify U.S. citizens.

[@subobing3551]

Oh Katie you look fine! We love you no matter what you look like! This is all so frustrating and infuriating. So I’m glad you talked about this and hoping something can be done with Biden’s legislation!!

[@cindywong9668]

Thank you, Neal Katyal ... for Speaking out for Supreme Court Reform ... It's way OVERDUE ... Thank you, President Biden for your Proposal

[@janetmccausland8953]

Great topic, fascinating. ❤

[@lucianbakerii7562]

The corruption and obvious conflicts of interest show Thomas and Alito as unfit for the SCOTUS. They lack the honor of the oath. Roberts is unfit due to his failure to discipline Thomas and Alito.

[@ellenebay3470]

I luv Neal as well. Not seen enough of him lately .

[@craighenschel6421]

Can the non-corrupt justices adopt a code of conduct unilaterally for themselves, as an example?

[@myralhf]

Not going to happen. They like their freedom!

[@s2snider]

Great idea. They have taken a few gifts (a tiny fraction of the value of Thomas's and Alito's take) but they could give the ethics reform effort a big push with a public statement. I'd love to see them calmly enumerate all the gifts that have been lavished on all justices and then say "we're not taking anything any more."

[@kenbrownfield6584]

Neal should be a SC Justice along with Tribe and Luttig

[@grizzlygrizzle]

Tribe and Luttig belong in an asylum.

[@vanngo4632]

Ten year term enough, 18 still too long....

[@marciafrankel5059]

You are so authentic…thank you!

[@cjfengshui1]

Katie, thank you for having Neal on your show again! Katie, you look great!

[@deeprose8598]

Luv u both!

[@richdiana3663]

They're out of step 6 to 3.

[@norahmason7451]

Love Neil!

[@sandraspidle5972]

You always seemed to be a loyal Republican, Katie, I admire you for that, you had very important interviews with Presidents and kept your integrity of ethics. Just wanted you to know you are appreciated. ❤️

[@ArgyletheCat]

This is just, Katie Couric in her human form.

[@gracesusanotte5474]

Proposed Court changes seem most sensible to me. May I remind, however, of the difficulty of securing the necessary votes to bring them about; reference the Equal Rights Amendment, still/never having passed!

[@dennissmith9021]

Justices can serve 18 years and move to a court of appeal. No amendment needed for that. Also, if a nominee for SC is not given a hearing within a set period of time then, they can just assume the office. That would not require an amendment. The terms can also be and should be staggard to de-politisize them.

[@chuckkolb1270]

An excellent interview that brings out strong ideas, commentary on this issure.

[@kates6793]

I always drop whatever I’m doing Neil has to say

[@TerriKash-NEO]

Katie &Neal...I always learn something.😊

[@thomaswilson7441]

💞🌺 I hope you got your eczema,, got some kind of relief from what you were experienced last night

[@SmilingDeer-dt5sjk]

They will never pass it law that could be used against members of the congress and judiciary and executive branch. They have done away with laws that could have prevented the things that is happening today , like money has the same rights as a human being .

[@nobodyaskedbut]

In a half century of voting I have never registered as a member of any party & I have never even once voted for a republican & never will. Vote BLUE up & down the ballot in November.

[@MaryOmalley-hg9pc]

Should we all sign up for membership at the SCOTUS Historical Society because that at least offers access. The most frustrating aspect is the lack of any type of sway. And also the lack of history in terms of how many people are aware that Dred Scott had a wife and the attorney was Rosewell Field the father of poet Eugene Field.

[@richdiana3663]

The entire government is out of step with the modern world.

[@waldemarsikorski4759]

Provide examples.

[@MyFavoriteColorIsBLUE]

Listen to Neal, there's your example

[@waldemarsikorski4759]

@@MyFavoriteColorIsBLUE Neal is talking only about one branch.

[@emilywilson7308]

Love Neal!❤

[@sarawithoutanh8302]

I absolutely love this side of Katie Couric. I grew up thinking you were the most glamorous and awesome woman. Love this very real side (still amazing!)

[@rosanneseiler3825]

Katie, thank you again for a great conversation.... you look fab!!! and you should REALY consider sharing that recipe for your cucumber, jalapeno magarita!!!!!

[@anonymousteacher4875]

She still looks adorable!

[@peziki]

Not at all.

[@durango8882]

@@pezikino Shi+

[@user-ez9eb5kq2f]

She has outlived her usefulness.

[@durango8882]

No Way that’s Katie Couric 😳

[@SmilingDeer-dt5sjk]

They got their money and that is all that matters in their minds .

[@arnellbyrd4492]

Neal we miss you bro!!!

[@fintanusa]

Pay them more? What does that solve. A greedy power hungry person will always be just that; greedy and power hungry.

[@stevenforrest5223]

To fix Amendment 14, Section 3, they should rewrite it so that it is clear and understandable to future lawyers, could have solved some of the problems we are having now. Fixing the count of the Justices can come later.

[@cclark1273]

I ❤ Neil!

[@JTSA1234]

Get the ERA passed and codify abortion.

[@ChildPerson]

Scalia paved the way and shared the map....

[@patriciaheflin4518]

I didn't find myself agreeing with Scalia, but today's conservative justices make Scalia look like a moderate. The Robert's court majority makes up whatever they want in order to match the rulings they want to make. It's reprehensible.

[@user-ry6yl6hs8i]

"Etching into the consciousness", perhaps into the collective consciousness - another cool discussion of hot topics.

[@dominique217]

Neal, you're like EF Hutton used to be; when you talk, people listen. 😁 I always stop scrolling when I see your name.

[@somitafekete3005]

💙💙💙

[@Patrick-dn2cb]

Please, dear American voters, turn out in sufficient numbers to ensure that the 2/3rds of Congress and the 3/4 of the States agree to this necesaary amendment.

[@richdiana3663]

That Trump has been and is trying to recover as president tells you how muddied our system has become.

[@conniehritz2604]

Just recently researched how it happens that we now have 7 out of 9 Justices who are Catholic. Since its inception in 1789 there were only 15 Catholics on the Court in total, for decades. Now they dominate the Court. The fact that they were chosen for their ultraconservatism to fit the objectives of where the GOP is wanting to go, is just bizarre. …but after reading how they were “scouted” and hand picked because of their religious beliefs is so enlightening. When my readings took me to scholarly examples of how the Catholic Church still thinks of contraceptives as “evil” and using them is a sin, I realized that the warning of Roe just being the beginning, and contraceptives won’t be far behind, I now worry that this is not a conspiracy theory. By the way, Biden’s selection is a Protestant.

[@sandraspidle5972]

Great, Neal !!! You are like a walking google. 🙏🫂🌠

[@johnburgess951]

What will the maximum gift/bribe be that the billionaires in the shadows are allowed to give the corrupt justices. The way that will definitely stop the corruption, put justices in place who are politically unbiased and concern themselves only with the law, a law that protects EVERYONE.

[@k1963c]

Katie, you are amazing! We love you.

[@blueowlwill8754]

It’s called being bought to make certain rulings

[@michellejohnson5217]

The cult-like Opus Dei sect of the Catholic Church includes such luminaries as Alito, Bill Barr, Amy Coney Barrett, Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, Leonard Leo, Heritage founder Kevin Roberts to name a few

[@NoraGermain]

Yolo is more a phrase to express living with joy, with a bit of risk, with wild abandon. Not really a phrase that applies to describe corruption/ control/ power/ politics as much maybe.

[@nyohaku]

The US has only one president at a time, but we have often respectfully referred to previous presidents as “President”. (President Kennedy, etc.) Since Trump and many followers still consider him the current legitimate president in spite of reality, we should now change this custom and always refer to him only as “former president”-). Joe Biden becomes “President Biden” always. Note that Katie said “President Trump”, and also said “Joe Biden” before correcting to “President Biden”.

[@meme-dg6dc]

WHAT WILL KEEP SUPREME COURT FROM RULING PROJECT 2025 INTO LAW BEFORE 2024 ELECTIONS?????

[@greenhandnz]

If the justices were honorable. It wouldnt be needed but realy this SC has gone rogue..

[@ShawnGitahi]

The mainstream can keep in touch through amendments🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣why should the court be involved in that,their function is to inteprate the law as written,there,s a reason congress is constantly elected so they can change laws and be in touch with the happenings through constant change,decisions like the immunity one were terrible though but apart from that,there aren't really any more

[@s2snider]

Katie, you look perfectly fine. I like casual. It puts the emphasis on content instead of glitz. More importantly, I share your rage at McConnell's hyper-partisanship. His voters are to blame for not exacting a price for these unAmerican acts. I'm on board with any changes that would return the Court to its previous status of respectability.

[@ShawnIsBatman]

I support everything that President Biden has proposed, however, given that these changes require a constitutional amendment, this will never happen. Given the incredibly polarized nature of our country and politics, I do not believe that we will see another constitutional amendment during the lifetime of anyone who is alive right now.

[@turquoise7822]

before this crew, we had affordable gas and food, etc. now homeless, boarder crossing that is wanted by our administration, war, billions of money given to other countries when our own pp are homeless, I can go on and on and no place for mental health patients to get help. Wake up dude

[@user-lv1uw8hu4t]

Is acous part of project 25?

[@sonyac9220]

Is she the weather girl? From Seattle

[@tomwirt319]

You guys need to go listen to rachel maddows july 29 post re. Tim Mellon.

[@starlessmystery6429]

Link?

[@starlessmystery6429]

I love her. I have all her books

[@jennetal.984]

What happened to Katie Couric?

[@durango8882]

That’s what I said 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@engineerinhickorystripehat]

I would give this video at least 4 Courics

[@ToolsForLife1111]

Maybe they should be paid less, then they could relate more to the average american

[@TheVerters]

Sorry, but if we give them their power, we the people can take said power away. We can find a way, and utilize what President Biden has started to complete it in the near future.

[@joannefinlayson8201]

Katie you look beautiful as always and bringing information to the people who care about democracy it is greatly appreciated thank you. Vote Harris 2024

[@rickgallant7305]

what your looking for is who did not pay the income tax on the side incomes that is something Biden could have it looked in to

[@dennee5]

How about a sudden disapperance of three of them.

[@grizzlygrizzle]

Advocating for assassination. Typical of many on your side.

[@jeanponton5669]

How about expanding the court to 13? Does that require a Constitutional amendment?

[@patriciaheflin4518]

It shouldn't because the number of justices is not stated in the constitution. I believe the agenda Biden announced was based on scotus commission recommendations from early in his presidency.

[@patriciaheflin4518]

Right...13 would match up with the number of appellate courts, but it was not recommended by the scotus commission.

[@grayisgood]

We need enforceable ethics reform because people are people. It's insane to believe we don't need that.

[@John1960Video]

I think you give Roberts too much deference. Where he voted says it all.

[@editordaniellemarie]

I love Katie's coverage and watch almost every video she makes but I cringe when I hear things like "why can't we make a rule for that?" There cannot be a rule for everything, for many reasons… we change leaders out by their term every a few years and the people coming later may not have the same incentive to uphold that role. Getting a rule passed is a highly politicized process and changing the constitution is almost impossible. You cannot force people to work together, or to act in the way that you want them to act, without losing the liberty that I believe the country was founded to grant to citizens. People have to work together of their own free and accord. The more you try to control other's behavior, the more they resent you. And this is where we are right now in the country. Biden wants to make a rule for freaking everything. I've been voting Democrat for 20 years but now I am so turned off by how liberals are meeting this moment. No demonstrated interest in really understanding anyone else's point of view and just trying to make rules to enforce their ideology. More and more rules. How is this liberalism? 😢

[@Intuitivelightworker]

You look great!!!!

[@johnkeegan8770]

Especially for THOMASS , and ASSLEASO .😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😠😠😠😠😠😠😠

[@cynthiawalsh4044]

It’s difficult to have respect when you watch them lie about their positions (Roe v Wade) during televised hearings.

[@shadrach6299]

Katie, lose those glasses!

[@Priyanka.Aarya77]

It’s so obvious that Neal has a crush on Katie. 😂❤

[@Fixtheproblemwithgoodpolicy]

Neal Katyal went before SCOTUS to argue in favor of child slavery and won. Get a better person to be an expert especially when talking about a SCOTUS with so many ethical violations and conflicts of interest.

[@margaretmarshall3645]

One more reason to vote blue up and down the ballot this November! 💙🇺🇸💙🇺🇸

[@2ndChanceAtLife]

You don't look like shit. You look like an assertive human, beautiful inside & out.

[@theoldar]

I love Neal, but he's been wrong about everything he has predicted about Trump and the courts.

[@MyFavoriteColorIsBLUE]

Because he's not crooked, and the courts are

[@theoldar]

@@MyFavoriteColorIsBLUE Sure, but as a person we turn to to understand the world, he has to adapt to the world as it is, not as it should be.

[@fluxPak]

Ever wonder why after five days you still have fewer than 900 likes? Same reason you lost your job. You’re completely out of step with what Americans know to be true. Think about your reflexive positions. Nobody wants to hear a clueless reporter.

[@greenhandnz]

What about packing the court? Say 11 13 or 15..

[@soaringkite2673]

Love Neal!😊